1. Twelfth Meeting of the Management Group on Statistical Cooperation
Turkey’s Experience with Traineeships and Study Visits
18–19 March 2010, Luxembourg 1

2. Presentation in Brief Background Information
TurkStat’s Experience on Study Visits
TurkStat’s Experience on Traineeships
Conclusions
Remarks 2

3. Background Information
Turkey was recognised as a Candidate Country by EU in 1999.
TurkStat started compliance activities to EU standards in statistical areas.
Joined efforts of Eurostat and TurkStat resulted in a cooperation strategy for Turkey.
The starting point was USST I under 2001 MEDA-II Annual Financing Program. 3

4. Background Information EU Funded Programmes (2003- 2010)
Duration
Status
National Programmes
- USST I
Completed
- USST II
Multi–Beneficiary Programmes
- PHARE 2005
- MBP 2006
Ongoing 4

5. TurkStat’s Experience on Study Visits
The study visits are:
statistical advisory missions for our experts.
about a specific topic in the NSIs of the hosting country.
organised at the request of TurkStat and taking into account the specific needs, so weaknesses are discussed in more detail during SVs.

6. TurkStat’s Experience on Study Visits
Duration: 3 working days in general
Number of Participant: 2-4 experts from TSS
A study visit is deemed not to be effective if it is shorter than two working days and the total duration of this assignment should not exceed ten working days (per person).

7. TurkStat’s Experience on Study Visits
Selection of participants
Eligibility conditions;
Turkish Statistical System staff only
Experience in subject matter
Knowledge of English language (TOEFL, IELTS...etc.)
A study visit is deemed not to be effective if it is shorter than two working days and the total duration of this assignment should not exceed ten working days (per person).

8. TurkStat’s Experience on Study Visits
Dissemination of Information After Study Visits
Preparation of activity reports
Access to the database on TurkStat Intranet
Arrangement of meetings with the relevant staff

9. TurkStat’s Experience on Study Visits Number of Study Visits by Countries (2003-2009)
COUNTRY
USST I
USST II
MBP 2005
MBP 2006
TOTAL
Germany 31 12 2 45
The Netherlands 10 1 23
Czech Republic 20
Hungary 8 5 14
Sweden 11
Poland 6 3 9
Finland
Italy
Luxembourg (Eurostat) 4
Denmark 7
France

10. TurkStat’s Experience on Study Visits Number of Study Visits by Countries (2003-2009)
COUNTRY
USST I
USST II
MBP 2005
MBP 2006
TOTAL
Spain 1 5 6
United Kingdom 2 3
Austria
Portugal
Romania
Slovenia
Slovakia
Belgium
Ireland
Norway 95 87 4
189

11. TurkStat’s Experience on Traineeships
The objectives of traineeship programmes are:
to familiarise statisticians from TurkStat or Main Data Providers with European strategies in each sector.
to help adopting the methodology, norms and standards of the European statistical practice.
to obtain work experience at different units of Eurostat and the hosting statistical institutes.

12. TurkStat’s Experience on Traineeships
Duration: 5 months for MBP
not exceed 3 months for National Programs
Difficulties in finding candidates
A study visit is deemed not to be effective if it is shorter than two working days and the total duration of this assignment should not exceed ten working days (per person).

13. TurkStat’s Experience on Traineeships
Selection of Trainees
In addition to the Criteria for the Study Visits,
The trainee who has the conditions indicated in the Terms of Reference
The trainee who has work experience less than 10 years in TurkStat
A study visit is deemed not to be effective if it is shorter than two working days and the total duration of this assignment should not exceed ten working days (per person).

14. TurkStat’s Experience on Traineeships
Number of Traineeships by Countries ( )
COUNTRY
USST I
USST II
MBP 2005
MBP 2006
TOTAL
Luxembourg (Eurostat) 4 2 5 9 20
Hungary 1
Greece 3
Austria
Portugal
Germany
Italy
Poland
Slovakia 8 6 10 13 37

15. Conclusions of Study Visits and Traineeships
useful tools for sharing experiences & best practices in the implementation process of the acquis.
strengthen the cooperation and relations between TurkStat and EU Member States/ EFTA Countries/ Eurostat.
enable our experts to learn about many technical & practical issues regarding the specific area of statistics.
TSS experts find the opportunity to meet with the experts of EU Member States working in the related areas.
know-how level of our experts is increased on statistical methods and indicators in line with the EU standards.

16. Conclusions of Study Visits and Traineeships
good implementation practices and operational procedures are
observed by TSS staff.
the solutions of EU Member States for the problematic areas in
statistics are discussed as to its suitability for the TurkStat.
foreign language practices of TSS experts are improved.
TSS experts also share their experience with relevant NSIs of
EU Member States.

17. Conclusions of Study Visits and Traineeships
allow the trainees to obtain in-depth knowledge in specific areas of statistics, and also obtain a better overview of the functioning of the whole statistical system.
enables the trainees to acquire knowledge on new methods & trends and follow good practice of experts in EU Member States / Eurostat.

18. Remarks
To increase the benefits of SVs, some suggessions are as follows;
a detailed ToRs should be prepared & expectations from SV should be stated before the activity.
questions to be discussed during SVs should be sent to the hosting country before the activity.
Recommendations of the consultants should be taken into consideration for the content of the SVs and selection of the country.
Composition of the delegation is important, therefore the balance between the number of experienced and younger staff should be established by Beneficiary.

19. Thank you for your attention… 19